Wayward Wandering

You know that "go-slow" feeling when you had to go back to work after the Christmas break? Must be seasonal, because even when there is no work to officially go back to, it happens. And I don't like it. Been positively slack the last few weeks.  So much for all that writing I was going to do - not been happening.

So a catch-up post about a fabulous walking tour I did with Sista Lynda way back on 2 December 2018.  At this age, if I don't write things straight away, there is a very real chance of forgetting what we did - so this could be a very short write-up.

Seemed fitting that as we met Lynda walking (Nepal), that our catch-ups involve, well, more walking. I ask myself why didn't we meet drinking in a bar? So on a sunny Sunday, we met our Guide Liam from Wayward Wanders and set off on The Greenie Tour.

First stop, headed down to Birrarung Marr. Opened in 2002 the name means 'river of mists' and 'river bank' in the language of the Wurundjeri people who inhabited the area when the Europeans settled in Melbourne. At this point it was important to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of The Kulin Nation as the original custodians of the land we were walking on and pay respects to elders past, present and future.

Interesting to hear about how the design, landscaping and plants were chosen and to learn that there are huge underground water tanks installed.  Liam also spoke a little about the Yarra and what it would have been like when European settlers first landed and about the problems with pollution and rubbish in our rivers.  It's sad that those rubbish traps are necessary and that so many people still think nothing of throwing stuff into the river. Cigarette butts and plastic bottles being the major culprits. 

After that, it was a stroll through Fed Square and more discussion on its sustainable features - some of which I'd heard about when I'd done the Fed Square tour a few weeks earlier. 

On to Council House 2 (CH2), which you've probably seen (240 Little Collins Street) many times but never stopped to actually take a look at.  It was the first building in Australia to be awarded a six star green star design rating when it was completed in 2006.  Some great initiatives around water conservation, energy generation, heating and cooling systems, and its energy saving windows and those wooden shutters that open and close.  With one side covered in plants, it really is a stunning building, so next time you're nearby, stop and take a look up and around it.

The wooden shutters of Council House

Time to jump on a tram and head to Fitzroy.  On the way, Liam spoke about the "Green Your Laneway" program and the interesting "Cooling our City" initiatives and Melbourne's commitment to the Paris Climate agreement to help limit global warming.  The goal is to plant 3000 trees in Melbourne every year.  A worthy goal.

A very pleasant stroll around Fitzroy checking out a few community gardens, stopping for a coffee  and visiting a couple of social enterprise shops. Loved Beekeeper Parade and the enthusiastic Koky whose mission is to "create products that change the world".  Their involvement in helping Cambodian children is admirable and their products are pretty funky too. 

Always blown away by the amazing street art that is all around us and Fitzroy has a particularly vibrant street art culture.  Some gorgeous work around the place.

Courage

Was also impressed by Fitzroy's Town Hall. Gorgeous classical Victorian building that has been beautifully restored. Didn't get to go in as it was a Sunday - but will add it to the list for future investigation! Just across the road in Whitlam Place is an interesting sculpture Courage by William Eicholtz.  It's of a man removing the Cowardly Lion costume (Wizard of Oz) whilst standing on a disco floor (not sure if the lights still work at night, but cool) whilst looking at a medal for 'courage'. Eicholtz said it aimed to "commemorate and recognise the LGBTI communities courage to be themselves." There is also a plaque dedicating it to the legacy of Raplh McLean who was Australia's first openly gay Lord Mayor.  An important reminder that we should all have the courage to be ourselves.

From there we set off for a 40 minute stroll along Merri Creek, chatting with Liam answering any questions we had. Our final stop was at CERES Community Environment Park. I've been here a few times and always find it amazing that such a place exists so close to the city. Had never really checked out the Permaculture & Bushfood Nursery and that was really interesting. Got myself a Woolly Bush - not that you can eat them, but they are lovely and soft - and woolly like.

Overall, a really good tour and 4 hours well spent playing tourists in our own city.  Liam was friendly and knowledgeable and more than happy to chat about anything we were interested in.  Would certainly recommend it to locals and visitors alike.

The Greenie Tour is $50 per person and runs on a Thursday in 2019.  Like them on Facebook, as they had a special deal on when we booked.  Wayward Wanders also run a 3 - 4 hour Alternative Tour which visits Fitzroy and Collingwood and shows a side of Melbourne many people miss.